As we go through this review list of the best headphones for music production, keep in mind what you will be needing them for. Escape or art?
For many people, headphones are used to drown out the sounds at the gym or to escape the morning commute. They need something portable and that plays the music they want to listen to. But for some, headphones are tools that allow them to create art. Their design is optimized for a purpose. These tools must have the capability to perfectly capture the high, mid, and low of every note.
When selecting the right headphones for mixing in the studio, it’s vital that you know what you’ll need to get the sound just right. Not any regular headphones would work and the most expensive ones aren’t always the best choice either. There are some great starter headsets that will give you a profession experience when editing your mixes. There are also expensive headsets out there that have a ton of additional features, none of which actually improve your sound quality or listening experience in the studio. We’ll start off by providing a guide you can use to understand why certain headphones are better than others for professional use.
Best Headphones for Music Production Comparison Chart
OneOdio Wired Over Ear Headphones Studio Monitor & Mixing DJ Stereo Headsets with 50mm Neodymium...
OneOdio A70 Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones, Studio Headphones with Shareport, Foldable, Wired and...
Best Headphones for Music Production Review
OneOdio Adapter-Free Closed Back Over-Ear Professional Studio Headphones
The padded ear cushions are high-quality and extremely comfortable on your ears. These monitor headphones were designed for noise isolation and maximum comfort. The adjustable headband makes it easy for you to get comfortable and enjoy your listening pleasure.
The earcups can swivel at 90-degree making them perfect for single-ear monitoring. That along with the flexible and self-adjusting headband can provide hours of “fatigue-free” listening.
These headphones provide a powerful bass with crisp high tones and a clear voice. They use 50-millimeter speakers and superior magnets to deliver a balanced sound at any volume. The closed-back design of the headphones allows for noise cancellation making them great for recording and monitoring.
A 6.3mm plug and a 3.5mm plug are included and detach from a long, DJ-style 9.8-foot cord. You’ll never have to worry about struggling to find an adaptor for your headphones that are the right size and length for whatever setup you use.
Pros
- High Definition of audio quality
- Swivel ear cups can be folded for easy storage
- Detachable plugs for greater ease and convenience
Cons
- Not very convenient for mobile phones or tablet use
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
The Audio-Technica M-series is well known for its professional standards and supreme sound quality. The ATH-M20x is a great introduction to those not familiar with what the M-series has to offer. You know you’re getting a quality set when you pick up an Audio-Technica.
The design is similar to the other M-series in that they are over-the-ear closed-back headphones. They provide excellent noise isolation so that you can clearly hear the sound coming from the 40-millimeter speakers.
ATH-M20x uses a neodymium magnet driver and copper-clade aluminum voice coils for crisp sound. There is also the sleek appearance you would expect from Audio-Technica.
A 30-degree swivel on the ear cups and durable slide ensure a comfortable and proper fit every time. And the 3 meters (9.8ft) cable comes with a 6.3 mm adapter making it perfect for all your studio needs.
Pros
- Durability and quality of material used
- Tuned for enhanced low-frequency performance
- Great sound quality and isolation
Cons
- Large and not compatible making it difficult to transport them
OneOdio Fusion Bluetooth Over Ear Wireless Professional Studio Headphones
OneOdio Bluetooth headphones allow you to Pair your device and share your music with 2 or more people at the same time. They also come with a cable lock system for the AUX cord so you don’t have the worry about problems connecting and reconnecting your headphones.
You also have the option of connecting two devices with a 3.5mm and 6.5mm cable simultaneously such as your iPad and guitar and the music at both ends will be transmitted to the ears at the same time.
Their Earcups are designed for comfort and long listening sessions. Made with breathable and soft cushions inside, you could use them for hours without experiencing any discomfort and without sacrificing sound insulation.
The detailing and industrial look is complemented by the 40mm drivers that provide excellent bass and is perfect for monitoring high and low frequencies alike. The clear sound and sleek look is a great combination for this professional headset.
Pros
- They can be folded for easy carrying and storage
- Dual cords usage creates a dynamic experience
- The Jack lock system ensures secure connections
Cons
- Can show signs of wear on the joints and earpieces because of their compatibility.
Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
The Audio-Technia Ath-M30x is the next step up from the M-20x. The durability is what you would expect from the M-series and does not disappoint. One feature that the M-30 has is it collapsibility, making it perfect for taking anywhere you need to go.
The 40-millimeter drivers are tuned for enhanced detail, providing an excellent mid-range definition. The sound quality is slightly improved from the M-20. Overall, the biggest difference is in comfortability.
The circumaural design perfectly fits around the ears and the soft cushion offers great sound isolation for any use. the headband is also nicely padded and allows for hours of use without any discomfort.
The durability and sleek details of the joints where the headpiece folds are hallmarks of the quality from Audio-Technia. This is a professional tool that can last for years if properly cared for.
Pros
- Durability and quality of material used
- Collapsible for easy carry
- Comfortable around the ears for long sessions
Cons
- People have had problems with the adaptor that comes included
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
The ATH-M50x from Audio-Thechnica is one of the higher-end headsets they offer and it’s obvious why that is when you listen with it. The M50x has a higher sensitivity than the previous headphones so it can pick up on every detail of the sounds.
The speakers for the M50x are slightly larger than the M30x and M20x, but they also use the rare earth magnet with their drivers and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils. The 45-millimeter speakers offer exceptional clarity at extended frequency ranges and are one of the best-sounding headphones in the industry.
90-degree swivel earcups allow for easy one-ear monitoring and the soft earpad and headband deliver the durability and comfort the M-series is known for. The headphones also come with a detachable cable coil and is completely collapsible making it easy to take with you anywhere.
Pros
- Collapsible with detachable cords make transporting it easy
- Amazing sound quality, durable and comfortable materials
- Durable and comfortable materials are used.
Cons
- The price point is a little higher than other options.
Headphones for Music Production Buyer’s Guide
There are a lot of headphone options out there that provide all kinds of quality and accessories. It can be difficult to decide which one is the best choice as your professional tool. When going through your selection process, it’s important to break down how you will be using them and what features you would need for their intended purpose. This buyer’s guide is designed to help you know the difference between the headphones and why certain ones are better for you than others.
What are you using them for?
Whether you are a casual mixer or a full-time studio rat, you will need to know what kind of music you’ll be listening to in order to get an understanding of what professional headphones are right for the job. If your music is heavy on the drums or has a lot of guitar riffs, then you might be looking for something different than if you mix vocals and a soft melody.
If you’ll be taking the headphones with you when you’re traveling. Then you might want to get a collapsible set with a travel case. If the pair is going to be staying in your studio, then mobility isn’t really that important to consider.
Again, if you’re just listening and enjoying the music then you wouldn’t need to go into this much detail already, but if you’re reading this, it’s because you what to know what is the best headphones for professional use. As a professional, you would need to consider the applications you’ll be using them for. You wouldn’t go to fix a car with only carpenter tools, so why would you do the same thing in the studio?
What are the different types of headphones?
When talking about professional use, there are a few types of headphones you’ll hear about. Each provides its own different benefits and all of them can offer great sound quality.
For the earcup design, there are generally two types that you’d find. One of these is Circumaural which means around the ear. The idea is to isolate the ear to help hear the speakers more clearly.
The other kind of earcup is called Supra-aural which means above the ear. The supra-aural rest on the ear can allow for sound to escape or interfere with what you’re listening to.
Because of this, most professional headphones are Circumaural or “around the ear”. This is something you can feel immediately when putting on a pair of headphones without even playing any music.
There is also another important thing to consider which is whether you’ll want to use a closed-back or open-back headphones. This is another design feature on the headphones that could be determined without listening to any music.
Closed-back VS Open
Closed-back headphones are specifically designed for recording in the studio and cover the area behind the driver in a straight line away from the ears. This will close the earcup around your ear and further prevent any sound from escaping. The one drawback to this style of headphones is that it creates false low frequencies. Despite the effect, closed headphones are still preferred in casual consumer markets and are widely used by professionals as well.
Open headphones allow for more accurate frequencies and therefore are preferred for most critical listening and mixing despite the fact that they do not offer the same sound isolation as their closed counterparts. There are open-back headphones that can provide excellent sound isolation as well as closed headphones, but they are a lot higher in price.
For most professionals, semi-open headphones are a great alternative to the closed-back system. They’re well-balanced, provide great sound isolation, and offer accurate frequencies making them perfect for critical listening.
What should you be looking for?
The number of options you will have when buying professional headphones can be overwhelming at first. There are a few things that are always considered when talking about the specs of a good quality set. These are things that are always considered but not always perfected. One of the biggest ones is performance.
Performance
Performance is usually measured by the range of frequency, sensitivity, and ability to provide a “neutral” tone. Essentially it is the quality of sound coming from the device and how consistent it is. This aspect usually is the main indicator of a great pair of headphones and should be one of the factors you should always consider when buying your next professional headphones.
Performance is also something that can only be experienced, so be sure to read reviews before buying online. Or better yet, you could find an in-store demo to listen to them in person and really get a good idea of the quality of sound coming from the headsets.
Comfort
Comfort is something that should not be overlooked, but far too often is. Since the headphones will be worn on your head for a period of time, an improper fit could lead to headaches and distract you from listening to the details of the sound. Limiting your time in the studio and therefore limiting your creativity is a huge price to pay for dismissing the comfort of the headset you buy.
Wear fatigue is often not considered but can really make a difference during a long session. Look for proper cushioning around the ears and check the adjustability of the head strap. Often times this is what separates a good headset from a great one.
Quality
Examine the quality of the material that was used for the headphones. If they play great-sounding music but break after a few uses, then what good are they? These are meant to be professional tools so be sure to treat it as such, but there needs to be a good amount of dependability in the manufacturing.
Make sure if they fold that the joints are strong and durable. More options of movement for comfort can also mean more fragile joints that could break. Check the connection ports and cables. Usually, better-quality headphones will have detachable cables for easy use.
You don’t have to buy the most expensive ones you can find. Often times the price doesn’t accurately reflect the overall quality. There are many expensive headphones that provide excellent sound but are often way too uncomfortable for long sessions.
When looking for the best headphones for professional use, it’s best to consider all the aspects. Not just sound quality, but also comfort, and durability.
Q & A
What Should My Budget Be for Buying Studio Headphones?
This really depends on your personal finance. There are a ton of high-quality headphones that you can get for a very affordable price and they will do the job adequately and last you a long time.
A great pair can cost you anywhere from $40 to $140 of even more. How much you spend on them is entirely dependent on your needs and financial ability, but you wouldn’t have to break the bank. To start off with a decent set of headphones.
Once you get started, you’ll learn what styles and brands you like. Eventually, you can work your way up the try out the top of line for headphones. Until then, you can get started with what you can afford and see what works for you.
Which Type of Headphones is the Best for All Purposes?
Open-back headphones are great for long-term listening. The open design allows for some outside noise to be heard without ruining the experience and is ideal if you plan on listening to something for hours at a time.
Closed-back headphones are not suited for long sessions and can even damage your ears if not designed properly. Because of this, the best headphones for all-purpose listening would go to open-back designs.
Can’t I just use my ‘normal’ headphones?
The regular headphones your see everywhere aren’t quite up to the quality you would want for any professional use. They were not designed to pick up on the subtle details that a professional headset is known to provide. If all you have are regular headphones then you could still hear the music, but the quality of sound you’ll be creating and mixing wouldn’t be the on a professional level.
If you are serious about creating and mixing music professionally then at some point you are going to have to shut up and put your money where your mouth is. The decision to get professional headphones will pay itself off in the end.
Can I use professional headphones for regular use?
Sure, a lot of people do it. Getting professional headphones for everyday use can enhance your listening experience. It would be important to keep in mind what you’ll be using your headphones for. That way you’ll know what to be expecting out of the set.
You would want them to be very comfortable and travel-friendly if you’re using them daily. You’ll also want to look for a very durable set especially if you plan on using them for a dual purpose of daily use and professional use.
Do I need Noise-cancelling Headphones?
A great feature to have is noise canceling, but it’s not needed to produce music professionally. It’s one of the misconceptions many people have when it comes to what are the best features of a professional headset.
It’s important not to get caught up in the latest feature you can have. You’ll first want to focus on the fundamentals that determine the quality of headphones. From there you can determine if noise canceling is a feature you would need professionally.
Should I get Bluetooth headphones?
For most professionals, Bluetooth isn’t a necessary feature to have. The more important things to consider are the sound quality and durability of your headphones. Professionals usually need a 6.3mm AUX cord to plug into their other devices and most professional sound equipment. Additional features are nice to have but you would need to consider whether or not you actually need them.
Performance, comfort, and quality should be considered before features like Bluetooth or name brand. Sticking to the fundamentals in this guide and you won’t be tricked by all the bells and whistles you see in the ads.
Final Thoughts
So now, you hopefully have a better understanding of what to look for when deciding on the best headphones for music production. There are several great headphones out there that will all provide amazing sound, so something small like the range of swivel on the earcup could be a key deciding factor for when you’re on stage or a feature you don’t really care about while working in the studio.
A lot of it comes down to how you’ll use them as a professional. There is a bit of learning and understanding that goes into this decision. But if you follow this guideline and make the right choice, you could have years of producing great quality music.
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About the Author
Michael-B is a Music Producer, Musician, and Formally Trained (and was Certified by the Recording Institute of Detroit in 1986) Recording Engineer. As of to date, He's built 3 home recording studios go back to 1987, where he wrote, played all the instruments, and recorded his music. Michael B is also a Writer, Chief Editor and SEO of TrackinSolo.com